PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED FILE PHOTO / Flatbed trucks carrying wounded veterans and their families drive down Wall Street during the Show of Support parade Nov. 15, 2012, in Midland. The flatbed truck on the far right of the image was struck by a train at a crossing on Garfield St., killing four and injuring 14. less

PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED FILE PHOTO / Flatbed trucks carrying wounded veterans and their families drive down Wall Street during the Show of Support parade Nov. 15, 2012, in Midland. The flatbed truck on the far ... more

Photo: James Durbin/Repoter-Telegram

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Volunteers Chris Hensen, Deyon Martin, behind and Dennis Joiner wipe off donated drinks before they are repackaged into food boxes Thursday at the West Texas Food Bank in Odessa.

Volunteers Chris Hensen, Deyon Martin, behind and Dennis Joiner wipe off donated drinks before they are repackaged into food boxes Thursday at the West Texas Food Bank in Odessa.

Photo: Tim Fischer/Reporter-Telegram

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Jerry Seinfeld performs onstage at the David Lynch Foundation: A Night of Comedy honoring George Shapiro at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Saturday June 30, 2012 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by John Shearer/Invision for David Lynch Foundation/AP Images) less

Jerry Seinfeld performs onstage at the David Lynch Foundation: A Night of Comedy honoring George Shapiro at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel on Saturday June 30, 2012 in Beverly Hills, Calif. (Photo by John ... more

Photo: John Shearer

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See what's in store for Midland in 2015

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What will the new year bring to the Tall City? We can expect a civil lawsuit stemming from the Nov. 15, 2012, train acrash and Rep. Tom Craddick to once again file a bill banning texting while driving.

HERE'S HOW 2015 IS SHAPING UP

— A civil lawsuit between veterans involved in the Nov. 15, 2012, Show of Support parade train crash and Union Pacific will finally go to a jury trial on Jan. 26. The veterans are claiming negligence in UP’s operation of its Garfield Street railroad crossing, while UP maintains it followed regulations.

— State Rep. Tom Craddick of Midland is making a third try at getting the state Legislature to pass a ban on texting while driving. The previous two attempts were either vetoed by Gov. Rick Perry or stuck in a committee.

— Hotel Santa Rita No. 1 could break ground by the end of 2015, if an incentive agreement is made with the city of Midland. The boutique hotel is to be built where the former Midland County Courthouse is located.

— The historical Midland County Courthouse will be demolished this year, and Hotel Santa Rita No. 1 is a leading contender to be built on the property.

— Midland County will open the newest addition to the Horseshoe complex this month. It is a $24 million convention facility.

— Four seats on the Midland City Council will be on the ballot in November. Seats scheduled to come up are the two at-large seats, District 1 (north Midland) and District 2 (south and east Midland).

— People start moving into the Lofts, the first significant development for downtown living, this year, maybe as early as the middle of this month.

— XCOR Aerospace and Orbital Outfitters are aiming for operatations at the Midland International Air and Space Port, including launches, by late 2015.

— West Texas Food Bank to break ground on Midland facility in February. Food Bank also will celebrate its 30th anniversary in 2015.

— Look for Midland Habitat for Humanity to begin building homes in its neighborhood project located in south Midland.

— As First Presbyterian Church continues the renovations to its campus, First United Methodist Church will begin campus renovations of its own as it also seeks to grow its Spanish-speaking ministry.

ENTERTAINMENT AND THE ARTS

— Jeff Foxworthy will perform at the grand opening celebration for the new Horseshoe Pavilion. Dooley Management Company announced the comedian will appear Feb. 7 at the recently completed facility.

Foxworthy is best known for his redneck jokes and Blue Collar Comedy Tour. He has been nominated for multiple Grammy Awards.

— Jerry Seinfeld will return to the Basin next year. The comedian will again bring his stand-up routine to the Wagner Noel Performing Arts Center. The show is scheduled for March 11.

When Seinfeld appeared at the Wagner Noel in October 2013 he added another show after selling out within a week. The comedian starred in the NBC sitcom “Seinfeld” in which he played himself. The show, now in syndication, ran from 1989 to 1998.

Gill will provide entertainment for the nonprofit’s 10th annual event. Big and Rich with Cowboy Troy performed at the 2014 event.

— Midland Community Theatre will collaborate with Midland College music and drama departments for a special production of “West Side Story.”

Except for Summer Mummers, live theater was pretty much nil at the classic downtown theater. With this production, hopefully we can see more goings on at the Yucca. The show will run April 17-25.

— In addition to Seinfeld and Foxworthy, a number of other big celebrities will head to (or close to) Midland. Jay Leno will appear at Midland College in April. Diana Ross and Loretta Lynn will both play the Wagner Noel in February. Florida Georgia Line will headline Texas Thunder out in Gardendale in August.

— In 2014, the Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale brought in NFL-player-turned-artist Baron Batch for their annual Vintage Harmony fundraiser. During the event, he painted a portrait live during the event. This year, they will bring in Dallas’ Tre Wilcox who was also a contestant on Bravo’s “Top Chef.” Details will be announced on how his culinary skills will add to the fundraiser event.